All Germans within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law who are at least 18 years of age are entitled to vote in elections to the German Bundestag and are eligible to stand for election to that body. Since 1 January 1975, the entitlement to vote and the right to stand for election have both been linked to the completion of the 18th year of age. The age at which a person is entitled to vote in and stand for Bundestag elections has been lowered in several steps since 1949.
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Age of entitlement to vote
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Age of eligibility to stand for election
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Election year
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(right to vote)
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(right to stand for parliament)
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from the completion of the ...
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from the completion of the ...
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1949-1969
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21st year of age
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25th year of age
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1972
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18th year of age
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21st year of age
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since 1976
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18th year of age
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18th year of age
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